George Packer: Trump Was a Symptom

Central Square is set in the Cambridge, Massachusetts neighborhood between Harvard and MIT, where gentrification threatens the community's diversity and character. The novel follows several disparate characters, including Joe, an enigmatic African immigrant who is mistaken for African American and discovers that this misunderstanding generates unexpected opportunities; Paula, a social worker intensified by loneliness; and Eric, a struggling writer whose work is ignored by the world. As these characters collide with circumstances and each other, Packer's bold novel explores themes of race, poverty, class, and the unattainable balance between private life and community.

The Oppermanns is a powerful novel that portrays the experiences of a Jewish family in Berlin during the early years of Nazi rule, offering a poignant depiction of the erosion of democracy and the rise of authoritarianism.

In "Last Best Hope," George Packer delves into the four dominant narratives shaping American life: Free America, Smart America, Real America, and Just America. He examines how these narratives intersect and conflict, contributing to the nation's deep divisions. Packer's analysis provides a framework for understanding the political and cultural battles that define contemporary America. He explores the tensions between individual liberty and collective responsibility, the clash between different visions of the American identity, and the challenges of navigating a rapidly changing world. The book offers a nuanced and insightful perspective on the complexities of American society.

In 'Hillbilly Elegy,' J.D. Vance recounts his life growing up in a dysfunctional family in Middletown, Ohio, with roots in Kentucky's Appalachia. The book details his experiences with poverty, addiction, and family violence, as well as his journey to joining the marines and eventually graduating from Yale Law School. Vance provides a personal and insightful look into the decline of the white working class in America, exploring themes of family, culture, and the loss of the American dream. The memoir also touches on the political swing of the region, particularly in relation to the 2016 presidential election and the appeal of Donald Trump to this demographic.

The Assassin's Gate: America in Iraq provides a comprehensive account of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and its consequences. It explores the ideological battles in Washington, the human impact of the war, and the challenges faced during the occupation. The book offers a nuanced analysis of the Bush administration's policies and their effects on both Iraq and the United States.

Written after his defection from Stalinist Poland in 1951, 'The Captive Mind' is a philosophical and political essay that explores the allure of Stalinism to intellectuals and the mechanisms of totalitarian control. Miłosz uses metaphorical portraits of four Polish writers (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta) to illustrate the universal human phenomena and attitudes towards totalitarianism. The book critiques the philosophical systems of Marxism and Hegelian historical determinism, highlighting the internal longing for harmony and happiness that can lead individuals to submit to such regimes. It also discusses the personal and psychological costs of living under totalitarian rule, including the transformation of 'free minds' into instruments of the state.

The Long Emergency delves into the effects of a peak in oil extraction on American society and the world. Kunstler argues that the economic upheavals caused by peak oil will force societies to become more localized and self-sufficient. He predicts significant problems in transportation, electrical power generation, and food production due to oil scarcity. The book also discusses the inadequacy of alternative energy sources and the potential for mass starvation, disease, and civil unrest as communities struggle to adapt to these new challenges.